New Balance Designer 2002R: Know The Person in Charge

Who is the designer of New Balance 2002R?

We pull back the development and design curtain of this bring back classic with Tetsuya Shono (Lifestyle GBU Director of Trend & Energy) and Taylor Canby (Creative Design Manager) of New Balance, to gain more insights behind the phenomenon that is the New Balance 2002R.

Tell us about the origins of the 2002?

TETSUYA SHONO (TS): The 1000 series from New Balance was originally the most premium Made in USA line at the time, and included the highest technology.

In 2010, when the MR2002 was released, it was the successor to the 2001. At the same time, a more performance-oriented model, the MR1906, was also released. Both the MR2002 and the MR1906 introduced a full length Nergy technology in the sole unit.

The 2002 went pretty much under-the-radar, even up till the launch of the 2002R. What made New Balance decide to revive it as the 2002R?

(TS): In early 2018, while planning for 2nd half of 2020, I felt that a new model could be explored, one that could support the 990 series without overlapping it. The opportunity to reissue the 2002 was always at the back of my mind. Plus, I'm a huge fan of the original and wear it regularly. There were feelings that a segment of sneaker fans was looking forward to a reissue of the model too. Initially, it wasn't planned to launch in 2020, due to the development process. But as it turned out, the timing was perfect, as it was the 10th anniversary of the shoe.

Why was the original full-length Nergy sole unit not used?

(TS): The original sole did not exist anymore. It would have been nice if we could reproduce the original sole unit and MADE version, but that was not possible. However, the positive outcome was a more flexible development process in Asia which gave the 2002 a new design opportunity and quicker lead time to hit the market for consumers.

What were some of the challenges faced in the development and design process to bring the 2002R to life?

(TS) Selecting a sole unit that relates to the last, which also affects the overall silhouette of the shoe. This decision was interconnected to many design and development elements of the shoe, it's like putting a puzzle together.

After much consideration, the 860V2 sole was chosen as the best fit for the 2002R. This sole provided the right level of comfort, stability, and performance for the shoe. It was a collaborative effort between the New Balance team in the USA and Asia to ensure that the design and development process went smoothly.

Taylor Canby, Creative Design Manager at New Balance, also shared his insights on the challenges faced during the development and design process:

"Bringing back a MADE shoe is more challenging and you have to approach it with respect. The goal was to create a shoe that captured the essence of the original 2002 while updating it for a modern audience. It was important to balance nostalgia with innovation."

The team had to find the right balance between staying true to the original design and incorporating new elements that would appeal to current sneaker enthusiasts. This involved extensive research and testing to ensure that the 2002R met the expectations of both longtime fans and new customers.

Canby added, "We wanted to maintain the overall silhouette and lines of the original shoe, while making updates to the materials and construction to improve performance and comfort. It was a delicate process, but I think we achieved the perfect balance with the 2002R."

The design process also involved collaborating with external partners and influencers to create special editions and collaborations that would generate buzz and excitement around the shoe. This strategy proved to be successful, as the New Balance 2002R gained a strong following globally and became a sought-after model in the sneaker and street-fashion community.

In conclusion, the New Balance 2002R was designed by a team led by Tetsuya Shono and Taylor Canby, who worked together to revive the iconic 2002 model and give it a modern twist. The design and development process involved overcoming challenges and finding the right balance between tradition and innovation. The result is a globally recognized sneaker that has captured the hearts of sneaker enthusiasts worldwide.